Feeder with a lump...

I just got some mice feeders tonight and noticed one has a lump on its jaw/neck. I'm probably going to return it but is it bad to feed feeders with lumps? Never really run into this before.

Better safe than sorry is what I would think

I wouldnt feed it. It may be nothing but it may be an infection of some sort. I wouldn't risk it.

A lot of the mass feeder mice (particularly live ones from pet stores) are prone to getting all sorts of tumors and ailments. The number of times I've gone through pet stores and seen mice with tumors, open wounds, or even a prolapsed uterus.... Finding quality live feeders can be tricky if you only have pet stores to rely on, most places have them shipped from giant pet warehouses where god only knows what their breeding practices have been.

It's probably just a tumor, but like KMG said, it could also be an infected cyst or something. Either way, return it, not worth it.

I tend to lean towards over cautious, and I would not feed it. I would return it for my money back, and get a healthy specimen.

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Yeah, I ended up exchanging it out. I usually feed my own bred rats, but they're between litters at the moment so I needed something. The associate said it's just a tumor and won't hurt my snake, it's just a lump of *puss and stuff* and it's fine to feed. Um... he didn't pay over $500 for the snake he's feeding it to lol. I used to work in a pet store, I've learned to take their advice with a grain of salt.

I've been breeding my own feeders for a few years, tumors happen on occasion...I've fed off several with tumors with no issue.